TNI Deployed to Build 80,000 'Merah Putih' Cooperatives, Here's Why

The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), has revealed the reasons behind the government’s decision to involve the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in the development of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative programme. According to him, the project to establish 80,000 cooperatives across all villages and sub-districts is no simple task, as the objective is not merely to build physical infrastructure but to transform the economic patterns of rural communities.

Zulhas stated that President Prabowo Subianto intends for economic growth to originate from villages by strengthening cooperatives as a foundation for community empowerment. However, he acknowledged that achieving the target of 80,000 Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives would be a significant challenge.

“How do we build 80,000 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives? It is not easy; changing culture is not easy. The President’s concept for these cooperatives is that the economy should grow from the villages. The essence is empowerment,” Zulhas said during the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) for the marine and fisheries sector at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday (2/7/2026).

He explained that if the development of these cooperatives were conducted through individual tender processes, the procedure would take an excessively long time. Consequently, the government has issued a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) tasking Agrinas Pangan to collaborate with the TNI for the implementation.

“How do we build 80,000? If we tendered them one by one, it might take 100 years to finish. Therefore, an Inpres was issued, tasking Agrinas Pangan to work alongside the TNI,” he clarified.

Zulhas also addressed the scrutiny regarding the TNI’s involvement, particularly concerning administrative and governance aspects. Nevertheless, he ensured that this collaborative model is considered more effective and efficient, including in terms of construction costs.

“The TNI acts on orders, sir; sometimes, in terms of administrative governance, the TNI is following orders. But I guarantee that the work carried out this way is cheaper than an open tender and will be better for the whole of Indonesia,” he concluded.